why do you retain water during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body produces approximately 50% more bloodPand body fluids to meet the needs of the developing baby. SwellingPis a normal part of pregnancy that is caused by this additional bloodPand fluid. Normal swelling, which is also called edema, isPexperienced in the hands, face, legs, ankles, and feet. This extra retention of fluid is needed to soften the body, whichPenables it to expand as the baby develops. Extra fluid also helpsPprepare the pelvic joints and tissues to open for delivery. The extra fluids account for approximately 25% of the weightPwomen gain during pregnancy. When does swelling occur during pregnancy? Swelling may be experienced at any point during pregnancy, but itPtends to be noticed around the fifth month and can increase whilePyou are in the. The following factors may also affectPswelling: Slight swelling is expected during pregnancy; however, if you experiencePsudden swelling in your hands and your face, it could be a sign ofP. PIt is important to contact your health care provider about any suddenPswelling. What can you do to treat swelling during pregnancy? Swelling may be reduced by eating foods that are high in potassium,Psuch as bananas, and by avoiding caffeine. Here are some other helpfulPhints to manage swelling during your pregnancy: Avoid standing for long periods. Minimize outdoor time when it is hot. Rest with your feet elevated.

Wear comfortable shoes, avoiding high heelsPif possible. Wear supportive tights or stockings. Avoid clothes that are tight around yourPwrists or ankles. Rest or swim in a pool. Use cold compresses on swollen areas. Drink water, which helps flush the body andPreduce water retention. Minimize sodium (salt) intake and avoidPadding additional salt to meals. Compiled using information from the following sources: Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W. , M. D. , et al, Part 3. Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide. Simkin, Penny, P. T. , et al, Ch. 6. How to dress comfortably: choose clothing made of light fabrics that you can layer, allowing you to easily add or remove clothing. 6. Fashion Takes a Back Seat It can be difficult to feel comfortable while pregnant in the summer, especially since you re carrying around some extra weight. Luckily, maternity fashion has come leaps and bounds in the recent years, but what if your feet are swollen? It could be difficult to fit into sandals, wedges, and all those cute summer shoes! 7. No Skipping the Sunscreen Sun protection is important when a woman isn t pregnant, and even more important when she is. Skin is much more sensitive during pregnancy because melanocytes, cells that produce pigment, are in overdrive and that makes the skin more susceptible to discoloration.

A pregnant woman should protect her skin by using a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 and that has a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. 8. Summer Heat Makes You Sleepy Have you ever spent a relaxing day in the sun only to find that you re exhausted at the end of the day? Your body worked hard to control its internal temperature, and during pregnancy, the body is working for two. It s not surprising that you would feel sleepy. A pregnant woman may become tired after spending time in the sun because she is dehydrated. Sweating to keep the body cool may cause a pregnant woman to lose quite a bit of fluid. Quick tip: If you re tired from pregnancy and the sun, take a nap in a cool place. It may just help you out! Real mom Kate Ungs had this to say about spending time in the sun in the summer: Sun bathing while pregnant is very relaxing, though it eats your energy. After a little sun time, an indoor rest and relaxation come next. 9. Exercising Outdoors Becomes a Little Tough Summertime is associated with outdoor activities, like riding bikes or going for walks. But in high heat and humidity, exercising outdoors isn t really safe for a pregnant woman. However, exercise is healthy for both mother and baby, so moving her exercising indoors is a good option to staying cool and healthy. Exercising while pregnant can help with the following: 10.

Getting Enough to Drink A pregnant woman needs to drink more water to help support the development of the baby and to prevent dehydration. Since a woman s blood volume increases during pregnancy, a woman needs to drink lots of water every day to help prevent problems like constipation. Dehydration could lead to overheating because water is essential in heat regulation. Because a pregnant woman sweats more than usual, she needs to consume more water to prevent too much fluid loss. Quick tip to stay hydrated: Drink lots of water and avoid sugary beverages! 11. When It s Extremely Hot If a pregnant woman s body temperature reaches over 102 degrees for a period longer than 10 minutes, there could be problems with the baby and the mother can become dehydrated. Tip to keep cool: go swimming in the pool or take cool showers frequently. 12. Sticking Close to Home A pregnant woman doesn t necessarily need to stick close to home, but staying close to the air conditioning to avoid overheating is a good idea. Avoid going outside during the hottest parts of the day if possible. If it is very hot outside, a pregnant woman may need to skip the park and head to the movie theater instead, where it is nice and cool. Having a safe and healthy pregnancy, especially when it s warm outside, is important. or by calling to make an appointment. Need a physician?